Ballarat to host Melbourne United training camp, pre-season contest

Melbourne United is thrilled to announce they will be taking their annual training camp to Ballarat, leading into a huge preseason game on September 8.

In conjunction with The City of Ballarat, United will make the regional hub their home for their preseason training camp, while also giving back to the Ballarat community through a number of free camps and clinics.

This will lead into a major preseason matchup with former NBA star Aron Baynes and the Brisbane Bullets to be played at Selkirk Stadium at 7pm on Thursday 8 September.

The contest will give United fans their first look at the side’s new additions, such as Rayjon Tucker, Isaac Humphries, Jordan Caroline and Xavier Rathan-Mayes in Melbourne colours.

 United CEO Nick Truelson touched on his excitement at getting back out to Ballarat, a city he is intimately familiar with from his time with the Western Bulldogs.

“I know how passionate the Ballarat community is about sport, especially basketball,” he said.

“Whether it’s their massive junior events and competitions or cheering hard for the Miners in the NBL1, the love this city shows for basketball is tremendous. Ballarat and the surrounding area is tremendously supported by the City of Ballarat (council), and we look forward to starting our partnership with the region.

“Our purpose as a basketball club is to use the power of basketball to inspire, entertain and enrich people’s lives, and this opportunity to get out to regional Victoria encompasses every part of that.”

These sentiments were echoed by City of Ballarat Director Community Wellbeing, Matthew Wilson.

“This is an exciting event for basketball fans in the region, and we’re thrilled to be working with Melbourne United.

“We’re proud that teams like Melbourne United want to play at Selkirk Stadium, which we know is a terrific venue to showcase to the world through can’t miss games like this.

“Having Melbourne United choose Ballarat as their home base for their training camp is great for the community, as it will allow more people to connect with one of the nation’s most professional sporting teams through camps and clinics.”

United is no stranger to Selkirk Stadium, having faced the Illawarra Hawks in the arena in 2019, where they came away with a 111-70 victory.

Tickets are on sale NOW! Be sure to get in quick, as seats are expected to fill-up quickly! Melbourne United Members will receive a 20% discount on their tickets via their email, adding even more value to United’s full season, five and three game memberships.

Tickets for the Ballarat game are available here, and registration for Melbourne United’s camps and clinics will be available within the coming days.